One common myth about sewer lines is that they cannot be broken. Similar to other parts of your plumbing system, they may be subject to wear and tear over time. Although most sewer lines last up to or well over 50 years, their resilience depends on the quality of installation and routine maintenance. The best way to maintain the health of a sewer system is to conduct a sewer line inspection annually. This will enable your sewer lines with a thorough check on whether they are in good working condition or not.
How Does Sewer Line Inspection Work?
The professional plumber inspects the sewer line with the help of specialized equipment consisting of a video camera attached to a flexible snake line. The camera is inserted through a cleanout and the pipes while the plumber views a live feed on a monitor. Common issues to look for during the inspection include but are not limited to cracks, blockages, tree root intrusions, bellies, sag, and breaks in the line. At the end of the inspection, the camera will be removed and the access point sealed.
Since the process requires skill and specialized tools, it’s not a project for any do-it-yourselfer. A professional plumbing service should be hired to ensure accuracy in their results, as well as to ensure longevity of your sewer system.
Signs It’s Time to Have a Sewer Line Inspection
1. Sewer Backups
Few things are more disagreeable than raw sewage backing into your sinks, floor drains, bathtubs, or toilets. Sewer backups are unsanitary, but they also clearly indicate a critical problem with your sewer line. If you have frequent backups, you should contact a plumbing service for an in-depth inspection of your sewers. A plumber can diagnose a blockage-cause and location-by using specialized cameras.
2. Lush Green Patches in Your Yard
If your sewer line is under your yard, then surprisingly lush patches of grass can be a sure-shot indication of some leak in your sewer line. This is because old pipes or tree roots trying to fetch water from the sewer line release extra nutrients within the surrounding soil. So, if you happen to notice such lush green patches in your yard, then do not waste another minute and call for a plumbing repair service for sewer repair.
3. You Just Bought an Older House
In older homes, problems could be hidden in many other issues. If you have just purchased one, it would be wise to have a sewer line inspection done, especially if there is no history of a prior one being done. This kind of assessment can save you from future headaches since any potential issues would show up in the test and give you added assurance as to whether your sewer system is in good shape or not.
4. Holes in Your Lawn
The biggest warning signs are patches of collapse or sinkholes in your yard, especially with odors. This means sewage is leaking from a damaged sewer line into the dirt, compromising its structure so that, over time, the surface caves in and creates a sinkhole. A sewer line inspection will determine the extent of the damage to guide the necessary repairs.
Contact Rooter Man Plumbing Today for a Sewer Line Inspection
For years, Rooter-Man Plumbing has provided professional sewer line services to both homes and businesses. No job is too great or too small, from sewer repair to sewer line cleaning to sewer line replacement, for our team of professionals to undertake. Call us today to schedule your sewer line inspection and protect your property from possible damage!